Sadly Bob Long passed away earlier today.
 
Older members of the class will remember Bob being an active member of the class from the late 1950s to the 1990s.
Our thoughts are with Geri and family
Will post further details when we get any information.
 

Very sorry to hear about Bob.I bought Absolute Madness from him many years ago. A lovely man and when I crewed Tony Rix at Whitstable, we saw a masterclass in close spinnaker reaching. All love to Geri and the family.

Another sad day, shed load of respect for Bob, a master in the art of sailboat racing. Thoughts go with family. Form North Norfolk 

A sad day. Used to sail at least twice a year with him as a cadet at WYC to learn all I could, as he was at the time, one of the club's top helms and keen to pass the knowledge on. Seemed to work for me. Spent many a time chatting to him about Merlin developments and the path forward. Some we tried and worked, some we have not to date. The Merlins certainly are a richer class for the time people like Bob invested in pushing forward the development and competitiveness of the class when their time was had competitively sailing the Merlin. Love to Geri and the family

When I first visited Whitstable with 2994 in the early '80s dear Bob had a boat of similar age and we immediately got on famously and even when he ceased sailing we would always have a nice chat.  I've missed not seeing him more recently.  Happy memories and thoughts for the family.
Dan Alsop